Heart burn or medically known as Pyrosis is a disease in which there is a painful or burning sensation in the esophagus which lies just below the breast bone which is caused by the regurgitation of gastric acids. The symptoms of the pain rising often starts from the chest and may proceed to the neck , jaw or the throat from its name it may seem a heart disease but actually it has nothing to do with the heart. The name is so given because its pain occurs in the breast bone which is near the heart although it has some symptoms to do with the heart problems.

This heart burn sensation or pain is caused when the lower part of the esophagus exposes itself to the hydrochloric acid of the stomach in normal situations, the lower esophageal sphincter which separates the esophagus from the stomach, contracts to prevent the happening of this situation. But if ever the sphincter does not contract, the gastric acid from the stomach mixes with the contents of the stomach, causing it to return into the esophagus, gastric acids being acidic, causes inflammation and irritation. This return, if frequently occurs, will cause Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease. Heartburn also occurs when you eat a heavy or late meal or when you are lying down flatly.

Bad breath is also a symptom of heart burn. Excessive smoking is another reason for heart burn because smoking has harmful effects on the salivary function which helps to clear the esophagus from the acids.

Some of the procedures to check the heart burn disease include stomach stapling, fundoplication, gastroscopy, gastric acidity determination, esophageal manometry and esophagoscopy.in addition to drugs, heart burn can also be prevented by giving the adequate information to the patient with respect to the disease. Physical activity and exercise is also a very effective way of preventing heartburn. Yoga and aerobics, maintaining a healthy weight and diet helps in this regard.

Hospitalization in the case of the disease is also a proper way. Proper diagnosis is important thing in this regard. Taking walks after the meals can also help reduce the chances of heart burn. Hence, a disease like heart burn can be prevented by the necessary precautions mentioned above. All of us want to live healthy life and it can be happened only when we want and determine about it. Living life is not enough but living healthy life is beautiful.